Sitting high on a hill above the east coast of the Italian island of Sicily, the chic summer resort of Taormina has long been a magnet for the rich, famous, and very good looking. Visitors were coming to Taormina well before the advent of package tourism, following the lead of 19th-century arty types who flocked to the resort for its fantastic light, stunning landscapes, mild weather and liberal attitudes.

Thankfully, you don’t have to be rich (or famous, or good looking) to enjoy package holidays to Taormina. The shops, restaurants, beaches and historic attractions of the resort are open to all and there are plenty of cheap Taormina holidays up for grabs.

Start your day with a leisurely stroll along the time worn tiles of the sun-dappled streets of Taormina, calling in for a hit of strong Italian coffee (stand at the bar to do it the local way). Tour the designer boutiques of Corso Umberto, looking out for any passing celebs from behind your sunglasses, before checking out the views from the Greek amphitheatre. A cable car will deliver you to Taormina’s beaches and lidos, before a stylish dinner (and a drink or two) under a canopy of stars rounds off the perfect day in this alluring holiday hotspot.

If that sounds like your idea of heaven on holiday, Taormina could be the ideal destination. Here at TravelSupermarket, we compare some of the hottest deals on the market to bring you a fantastic choice of bargain breaks. You can also look for cheap travel extras, such as car hire in Sicily – and excellent idea if you want to explore this beautiful island – and insurance.

The main holiday season in Taormina begins in April, when average daytime temperatures reach into the 20s. Holidays in April and May are perfect for sightseeing in pleasant warm weather without the crowds of summer. The masses arrive in July and August, lured by hot summer days of around 30C and warm nights (cardigans are not necessary). September and October are also great months in which to visit Taormina, as temperatures cool off, the tourist throngs disperse and prices drop. The resort is very quiet over the winter; it leaves Sicily’s cities to cater for visitors between November and March.  

Taormina Film Festival; June: The Teatro Greco hosts this celebrated film fest each June. The event has been running since 1955 and stars such as Elizabeth Taylor, Marlon Brando and Audrey Hepburn have attended. There are evening film screenings, a host of parties and the chance to mingle among Hollywood’s elite.

Summer events at the Teatro Greco; June-September: The Greek theatre has seen its share of lively events over the centuries. These days, it hosts rock concerts and operas during the warm summer evenings. Check out what’s on before your visit and be sure to snap up tickets as events often sell out.

Taormina Jazz Festival; July-August: The gorgeous Villa Comunale plays host to a series of jazz sessions delivered by stars from across the globe. Book tickets in advance to avoid disappointment.

Grown-up families: Between May and October, the Italian Opera Taormina gives visitors a taste of their spine-tingling talents at the dinky Cine-Theatre San Giorgio. It’s a cheap and quick way to experience the opera with a drink and divine views included in the price.  

Relaxing: Sprawl out on Taormina’s main beach and wait for the tide to drop. A pathway to Isola Bella, the little island in front of the beach, is revealed. Protected as a nature reserve, this pretty spot is surrounded by waters of crystalline clarity.

Active types: If you fancy stretching your legs after all that delicious pizza and pasta, you could take a hike up Europe’s highest active volcano. Mount Etna can be reached in around 90 minutes by road from Taormina and there are various heart-pounding ways to discover its terrain.

Shopping: The main street of Taormina, Corso Umberto, is where you will discover the town’s designer stores, antique sellers and souvenir shops amid the cafes and trattoria.

Nightlife: Cool cocktail bars and hip restaurants that transform into after-hours clubs are the mainstays of the Taormina nightlife scene. While it’s certainly not party central in Sicily, there are more than enough groovy tunes and swanky bars to keep night owls happy.